Time lock mechanism



y 1932- c. A, MILLER 1,858,964

TIME LOCK MECHANISM Filed June 23, 1927 CHARLES A.

,mcnt with complicated connections.

Patented May 17, 1932 UNITED STATES MANUFACTURING COMPANY,

i 7 TIME LUCK Application filed June 23,

This invention has for its object the prevention of daylight hold-ups. Bankers usually keep their reserve currency in a chest protected by a combmation lock, but it IS I common for the yeggs to force the cashier to unlock this chest which often contains a considerable amount of money. A time lock continuously on guard on this reserve chest would prevent this, but the disadvantage of the time lock is that it would prevent access to the chest by the banker as well as the yeggs.

My invention obviates this dilficulty by providing a time lock which may be set to open the safe after a definite length of time, but which will be inoperative to run that definite length of time until some preliminary operation is performed by an authorized person. Thus, with my invent-ion, the

prior patentees such as Stockwell 1,147,905,

July 27, 1915; Franks 1,078,425, November 11, 1913, and Lilie 223,933, January 27,1880. My improvement over the above patents resides in an arrangement whereby a regular time lock mechanism such as used on many safes throughout the United States may be changed but very slightly to obtain this new result. The devices of the prior art require an entirely new time lock and safe arrange- On the other hand, my device involves no more than a simple substitution in the time lock assembly only, the safe door and its bolts being left. untouched while the same time-con-- trolled detent is used for both the regular time movement and the special movement as normally maintained to prevent retraction of the safe bolts, this obstructing detent hav- PATENT orries MILLER, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, AS SIGNOR TO THE YALE & TOWNE F STAMFORD, oomvnc'rzour MECHANISM 1927. Serial no. 200,930.

ing control means mounted thereon. These detent control means are operable by attemptedretraction of the bolts to start the effective operation ofa time movement which el'l'ects the withdrawal of the detent from obstructing position.

It is also within the scope of the invention to have other types of control means for operation by the bolt, or by the bolt operating means. A review of the specification will demonstrate that this invention is rather broad in its aspects, and'that many variations of the same within the scope of the ap-.

pended claims will readily occur to one skilled in the art. i

. In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a view of a portion of a time lock mechanism showing an embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is a partial face View with the face plate and time movements removed;

Figure 3 is a view in end elevation showing the casing; i

Fig. 4 is a side and end view of the time controlled detent bar.

Fig. 5 is a side and end view of the day stop release. I

Fig. 6 shows similar views of theday stop. w y r The casing for the mechanism is represented at 1 and the same is provided in one. wall withan opening 2 through which the bolt 3 may enter. Within the casing, the time controlled detent or detent bar 4 is mounted and a spring 5 operates to'maintain the head 6 of .said bar in position to obstruct the opening 2 and prevent the bolt 3 from entering the time lock casing sufiiciently to open the safe when said bolt is actuated by the hand operated lever 3a. The bolt retracting means3a which operates the bolt is shown merely diagrammatically, since any suitable means for retracting the bolt may be used. Time movements in any desired number may be employed, (the construction shown in the drawings beingadapted for two such movements at 7 and 8) and they operate in the usual manner to move the release bar 9, which will in turn act through the usual connections to force the detent bar 4 (against the action of its spring 5) into a position where its head 6 will no longer obstruct the opening The mechanism thus far described and its operation are well known and further detail description of the same herein, is deemed unnecessary.

In adapting the well known time lock mechanism to the purpose of my invention, a fasteranoving time movement-1O will be substituted for the regular end time movement. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the special or emergency time movement 10 is used in the place of the usual third movement in a three movement lock, and the pulsations of its balance wheel per second are increased, compared with the standard movement, one and a half or more times. The movement 10 is provided with a specially calibrated dial 11 and may be set in the usual manner to withdraw the detent bar by means of its connection with the release bar 9. Because of its faster-moving parts, the movement 10 is very sensitive and may be set to release the detent bar within a minimum of a very few minutes. Normally, the movement 10 is kept idle and this is accomplished by the day stop structure shown in detail in Fig. 6. This day stop structure comprises a spindle 12 provided at one end with a knob 13 and at the other end with an arm 14. The spindle 12 is also provided with another arm 19 which is adapted to engage one of the gears of the time movement to hold the same at rest. In order to insure the starting of the movement when it is released by the stop arm 19, a further arm 15 is mounted on the spindle 12. This arm 15 serves as a hold-er for a wire 16 which may be coiled thereon, as shown in Figure 6. the wire being extended to form a slender finger 17 adapted to engage the balance wheel 18 when the day stop is in its movement holding position. Thus, when the spindle 12 and its arm 19 are moved to release the time lock the finger 17 of the wire will impart a movement to the balance wheel to start the running of the time movement. Stop-pins 19 may be provided to limit the movement of the da -st0p structure. 7

he head 6 of the detent bar 4 is provided with a groove or recess 20 in which a daystop release member 21 is mounted to slide, said member having slots 22 to receive pins 23 on the bar 4. The member 21 is made with a head 24 which is disposed in line with the opening 2 in the casing for the bolt 3. A pin 25 projects from the member 21 and a stifl spring 26 securedto the casing 1 and bearing against the pin 25, serves to press the member 21 forwardly so that there will be a certain amount of space 27 between the head 24 of said member and the end of the head 6 of the detent bar 4.

\Vhen the day stop has been moved to lock the time movement 10, the arms 14 and 15 will be in the dotted line positions shown in Figure 2. When the bolt 3 is moved by its outside handle in the direction of the arrow, the release bar 21 will be moved inwardly against the resistance of the still spring 26 and cause said spring to engage the arm 14 ot' the day stop and move the latter to the full line position, thus releasing the time movement 10. This bolt movement is of course limited to the space 27 between the head 24 of member 21 and head 6 of the detent bar 4.

The entire operation is as follows:

hen the owner or ofiicial arrives at the ollice or bank in the morning, he will find that the regular movements 7 and 8 have acted to unlock the safe, the emergency movement 10 having been held idle and unwound during the night. He sets the movements 7' and 8 therefore, to open 24 hours hence, i. e., the next morning. He will then set the emergency movement to open in 80 minutes for example, but leaves the day stop in the dotted line position shown in Figure 2 to hold the movement 10 at rest. He will then close the safe door and throw the bolts, whereupon the sat-e will be held absolutely locked. In case of emergency, he has merely to set up his combination and then move the safe bolt in the direction of the arrow with the use of the usual handle. This will cause the day stop to be operated in the manner previously explained, to release the emergency time movement and after the period for which the latter has been set, (thirty minutes, for example) the detent bar will be withdrawn and the bolt may then be fully operated to permit the safe to be opened.

It will be noted that the three movements 7. 8 and 10 operate in tandem on the bar 9. Any one of these movements is sufficient to move the bar 9 against the action of the spring 5 to withdraw the detent or detent bar 4 from bolt obstructing position. Thus. the emergency movement alone can operate this movement bar and withdraw the detent from operation, even though thetwo main movements 7 and 8 are not set to do so until after a relatively long period of time.

From the foregoing it is believed that the construction, operation and advantages of the invention may be readily understood and it is manifest that changes be made'in the details disclosed, without departing from the spirit of the invention, as expressed inthe claims.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is

1. In a time lock assembly, a safe bolt and a detent positioned to prevent the full withdrawal of the same, a time movement adapted to move the detent from said position after a relatively long interval of time, and an emergency mechanism normally,inoperative and adapted to move the detent from said position after a relatively short interval of time, and means actuated by said bolt for rendering said mechanism operative. Y

2. In a time lock assembly, a bolt, a bolt obstructing detent bar, a time movement adapted to, remove the same frombolt obstructing position after a relativelylong interval of time, a second movement adapted to move the detent bar after a relatively short period of time, stop means for normally holding the latter movement inoperative, and control means actuated by the bolt to move said stop means from holding position.

3. In a multiple movement time lock, a bolt obstructing detent bar, one or more time movements adapted to move said detent from bolt obstructing position after a relatively long interval, an emergency movement adapted to move said detent after a relatively short intervahstop means for normally holding the latter movement inoperative, and.

release means carried by; said detent bar adapted to be operated by the safe bolt to move said stop to release position.

4. In a time lock, a bolt obstructing detent bar, a time movement for controlling said detent bar, a stop mechanism for said time movement, and means carried by said detent adapted to be operated to move'said stop mechanism to release the time-movement.

In a time lock, a bolt, a detent obstructing the-full Withdrawal of the same, a time movement for efl'ecting removal of the. de-

tent from obstructing position, a stop 'i'or normally holding said movement inoperative and means carried by said detent'and operable by a partial Withdrawal of said bolt to move the stop to movement releasing position.

6. In a time lock a day stop assembly for the time movement comprising a spindle having a movement dogging arm, a manually operable member and an arm adapted to be operated by a part of the time lock to more the day stop to movement releasing position.

7. The combination with a time controlled lock mechanism including a bolt-obstructing 1 same at rest, a member mounted on the detent bar to slide and to be engaged by the bolt. :1 spring cooperable with said member and with said retaining means to release the emergency time movement when said member is actuated by the bolt.

8. The combination with a time controlled lock mechanism including a bolt-obstructing detent bar, and a bolt, of an emergency time movement adapted to operate said detent bar, aday stop including means to engage, a

to release. theemergency time; movement,

When the bolt is moved tion.

Ina time lock assembly,fa= bolt.obstructing, detent, a time movement operable to remove-the same from bolt obstructing position after1a relatively. long period of 1 time, mechanism for removing the detent from bolt obstructing-position after a short; interval of time, control means for said mechanism, and means carriedbythe detent and operable by the bolt to actuate said control. means: 1

1.0. In a regulation time lock assembly having a. bolt obstructing-.detent and. a IPIII'; rality of time movements for Withdrawing the same,=gthat improvement Which comprises a fasteinrunning movement operableto :With drmv the detent bar after a relatively short interval of time, and; stop mechanism ffor normally holding, said movement inoperative,:and release means for ;said.stopfmechanism, said release means being operable to move the stop mechanism to release position;

I1.- In a-time lock, a bolt obstructing detent, a time-movement for controllingjsaiddetent, ast'op mechanism forsaid time move-- ment, controlmeans carried by said .detent;

in an unlocking direcfor operating said stop mechanism to release the time movement, and means Wherebysaid control means may be operatedmz- 12. Ina time lock assembly having a plurality of movements, a bolt and a'bolt-obstructing detent, means for. controlling-the operation of said time lock assembly include ing means carriedby thedetent andprojecting into the path of thebolt. whereby at tempted Withdrawal of the bolt will. actuate; said control means I 13. In a time lock assembly,asafe bolt and a bolt obstructing detent, means for control.-. ling said time lock including-aspring pressed slide mounted on said'detent and project ing into the pathot said bolt whereby-ate; temptedwithdrawal of the'bo'lt Will actuate said slide to operate said control means.

14. Ina time lock -assembly, 'a' bolt and a detent positioned to prevent full Withdrawal of the bolt, a time movement adaptedto' move the detentfrom said position after'a relatively long period creme, and an eme r gency movement independent of the first mentioned movement adapted to moveithe detent from said position after a relatively time controlledfrnechanism,andnneansfcare ried by saidbolt obstructing device for operatingsaidcontrol means.

16'. Inzalock, abolt means fol-withdrawingsaid bolt, time controlled mechanism for controlling the operation of'saidmeans, and

means constituting apart of said time controlled mechanism controlled byoperation of said bolt Withdrawing means.

17.7111: a-lock, a bolt, manual means for with'dra\\-'ing said 'bolt, ti1ne controlled mechanism operable =to prevent operation of said manual means, and a controlling means forming partof said time controlled mechanism operableby said manual-means.

I8. iI.n :a look, a bolt, manual means for withdrawingrsaid=bolt, time controlled mechanism adaptedito prevent complete operation of said manual means, and means forming apart of said time controlled mechanism operablmby impartial-operation of said' manual meims.

19.- InF-a look, a bolt, manual means for withdrawing said bolt, mechanism for preventing operation of said manual means,

a time movement adapted to render said mechanism inoperative, and a part of said mechanism being operable by attempted. retractionof the bolt for controlling 'said 'time movement.

20. Ina. lock, a bolt, manual means for withdrawing said bolt, detentmeans for preventing withdrawal of said bolt, time mechanism-tor rendering-said detentlmea-ns inoperative, controlmeans for said time mechanism, said control means being operable by said manual means.

-21; .In a lock, a bolt, manual means for withdrawing saidibolt, detent mea'ns for preventingwithdrawal of said bolt, itime mechanism'Lforfrendering-said detentmeans inops emti've, saidr'stime mechanism being normally maintained ine'fiective" to actuate said detent, andnneans actuatedibysaid manual means for rendering said mechanismeifective.

22. In a lock, a bolt, manual means for withdrawing :said. zbolt, a detent for preventing withdrawalof. saidibolt', time mechanism for rendering said detent inoperative, and means carried by said detent and. operable bysaid manual means for controlling said time mechanism.

23.. In a timelock, a-bolt, a bolt controlling detent,:a2time movement for controllingsaid detent,control.means for supervising the operation. ofsaid movement, and 1 a. part constituting said control means carriedby said detent.

mechanism time controlledv mechanism for controlling the action of said bolt, operating mechanism for said time mechanism, said operating mechanism being actuated by movement of said "bolt.

25. In a timelock, a locking bolt, a bolt controlling detent, time mechanism, control 24..In a timelock, a locking bolt, time means for said mechanism, and means carried by the detent and actuated by movement of the bolt for operating said control mechanism.

26. In a look, a bolt, means for preventing withdrawal of said bolt, time controlled mechanism for controlling the operation of said means, and a control part constituting said mechanism operable by movement of the bolt.

27. In a lock, a bolt, means for preventing Withdrawal of said bolt, time mechanism for rendering said means inoperative, and a part constituting said means and operable by attempted retraction of the bolt for controlling said time mechanism.

28. In a lock, a bolt, detent means for preventing operation of said bolt, time mechanism for rendering said detent means inoperativc, means constituting said time mechanism and normally conditioned so as to render said mechanism ineffective to actuate said detent means, and means operable by attempted movement of the bolt to render said mechanism effective.

29. In a lock, a bolt, detent means for preventing operation of said bolt, time mechanism for rendering said detent means inoperative, means constituting said time mechanism and normally conditioned so as to render said mechanism ineffective to actuate said detent means, and means carried by said detent for rendering said mechanism efiective.

30. In a lock, a bolt, detent means for preventing operation of said bolt, time mechanism forzrendering said detent means inoperative, means constituting said timemech'anism and normally conditioned so as to rein der said mechanism ineliective to actuate said detent means, and means carried by said detent and operable by movement of the bolt for rendering, said mechanism effective.

31. In a multiple movement time lock, time movements, a detent bar controlled by said time movements to prevent Withdrawal of the regulation safe bolts, an emergency movement constituting one of said time movements, and a control mechanism for said emergency movement comprising a slide mounted on said detent bar and operable by movement of the safe bolts.

32. In a time lock assembly having a safe bolt obstructing detent and a plurality of time movements for withdrawing the same from obstructing position, a special movement having a control mechanism cooperating therewith, said special movement constituting one of said plurality of time movements, operating means for said control mechanism carried on the bolt obstructing detent and movable relatively to said detent, said meansbeing actuated by the attempted retraction of the safe bolts for operating said control means.

33. In a time lock, a locking detent bar, a

time movement for eflecting the movement of said locking detent bar from a locking to an unlocking position, a control means for said time movement carried by said detent bar, and means for operating said control means to govern the operation of said time movement in its control over said locking detent bar.

34. In a time lock assembly, a bolt, a bolt obstructing detent, one or more time movements adapted to Withdraw the detent from bolt obstructing position after a relatively long period of time, mechanism operable to Withdraw the detent from bolt obstructing position after a relatively short interval of time, control means for said mechanism, a part of said control means being mounted on the detent and operable by the attempted withdrawal of the bolt to set the mechanism in motion to move the detent from its bolt obstructing position.

35. In a time lock assembly, a locking detent, a time movement having means adapted to effect the movement of the detent from a locking position to an unlocking position after a relatively long period of time, and an emergency movement independent of said first mentioned movement and having means adapted to eflect the movement of the detent from a locking position to an unlocking position after a relatively short period of time.

36. In a look, a bolt, detent means for preventing operation of said bolt, time mechanism for rendering said detent means inoperative, means normally maintaining said time mechanism in a condition wherein it is ineffective to actuate said detent means, and means operable by attempted movement of the bolt to render said mechanism effective.

37. In a time lock, a locking bolt, time controlled mechanism for controlling the movement of said bolt, control mechanism for said time mechanism adapted to govern the operation of the same, and means constituting said control mechanism actuable through movement of the bolt.

38. In a lock assembly, a locking detent, a time movement having means adapted to effect the movement of the detent from a locking position to an unlocking position after a relatively long period of time, an emergency movement independent of said first men tioned movement, and having means adapted to effect the movement of the detent from a locking position to an unlocking position after a relatively short period of time, and stop means adapted to hold said emergency movement normally inoperative.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification.

CHARLES A. MILLER. 

